Minute Meditations - A Joyful Existence

Home

Catholic News

Daily Features

St. Anthony Messenger

Books

Catholic e-Greetings

Parish Newsletters/Services

Minute Meditations

A Joyful Existence

The spiritual life can never include the suppression of pleasure. When life involves noticing and responding to the vulnerable, needy yet beautiful lives of others, it becomes a joyful existence.

— from Making Sense of God

Friday, February 08, 2013

Minute Meditation for 2/7/2013

Minute Meditation for 2/9/2013

		Subscribe to the Minute Meditations e-newsletter.
		Subscribe to Minute Meditations at Twitter.com.
		Subscribe to this RSS feed. How?

Paid Advertisement

Ads contrary to Catholic teachings should be reported to our webmaster. Include ad link.

Matt Talbot: Matt can be considered the patron of men and women struggling with alcoholism.
<p>Matt was born in Dublin, where his father worked on the docks and had a difficult time supporting his family. After a few years of schooling, Matt obtained work as a messenger for some liquor merchants; there he began to drink excessively. For 15 years—until he was almost 30—Matt was an active alcoholic. </p><p>One day he decided to take "the pledge" for three months, make a general confession and begin to attend daily Mass. There is evidence that Matt’s first seven years after taking the pledge were especially difficult. Avoiding his former drinking places was hard. He began to pray as intensely as he used to drink. He also tried to pay back people from whom he had borrowed or stolen money while he was drinking. </p><p>Most of his life Matt worked as a builder’s laborer. He joined the Secular Franciscan Order and began a life of strict penance; he abstained from meat nine months a year. Matt spent hours every night avidly reading Scripture and the lives of the saints. He prayed the rosary conscientiously. Though his job did not make him rich, Matt contributed generously to the missions. </p><p>After 1923 his health failed, and Matt was forced to quit work. He died on his way to church on Trinity Sunday. Fifty years later Pope Paul VI gave him the title venerable.</p>

We are called to share in the infinite life and love of God. We are called by God to a relationship that is destined to transform us into his likeness, to “divinize” us. This is going to take some stretching, to say the least.

PICKS OF THE WEEK

	New for Lent!
	Take a fresh look at Lent with St. Francis as your guide.

	New for Lent!
	Make the most of Lent and experience it through the lens of discipleship.

	New for Lent!
	Scott Hahn brings you Lenten reflections from a Father who keeps his promises.

	New book
	Learn what the New Evangelization means for you!

	New book
	Discover the Bible's stories and mine its wisdom.

CATHOLIC GREETINGS

	St. Josephine Bakhita
	Today we honor the first saint from the Sudan, who was a model of piety and humility.

	National Marriage Week (U.S.)
	During this week especially tell each other how much your marriage means to you.

	St. Valentine's Day
	Schedule one or more e-cards today to be sent next Thursday.

	Praying for You
	Let someone know your prayers are with her. Send a Catholic Greetings e-card.

	Birthday
	Send them your best wishes for a joyous and happy birthday.

Come find us at:

American Catholic is for Catholics, all Christians and seekers. Find Roman Catholic Saints, Minute Meditations, Catholic Church Questions and Catholic News. Post Prayer Requests and send Catholic e-cards. Discover Catholic Books, Catholic Audio Books, Catholic Videos, and a leading Catholic Magazine.